USA NEWS – As Hurricane Milton continues to wreak havoc across Florida, the aftermath has left over 400,000 residents grappling with power outages. Nearly half a million Floridians remain without electricity as of Monday morning, days after the storm made landfall with Category 3 strength, causing widespread destruction. The storm’s most severe impact was felt along the west-central coast, where communities have been devastated, and critical infrastructure has suffered significant damage. In St. Petersburg, the iconic Tropicana Field had its roof shredded, further illustrating the storm’s ferocity. Tragically, the storm has also claimed at least 17 lives, highlighting the devastating toll on the state.

President Joe Biden visited Florida on Sunday for the second time in just over a week, aiming to assess the damage inflicted by back-to-back hurricanes and support residents struggling with ongoing challenges like power outages and gas shortages. During his visit, Biden announced a disaster declaration that will unlock federal funding for those affected by Hurricane Milton. This funding includes grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and low-interest loans to help residents rebuild their lives after the storm. His administration has pledged to assist in every way possible to expedite recovery efforts across the state.

While addressing residents at St. Pete Beach, Biden emphasized the government’s commitment to restoring power and supporting long-term recovery efforts. He unveiled an additional $612 million in aid aimed at communities displaced by recent hurricanes, with specific allocations of $47 million earmarked for Gainesville Regional Utilities and another $47 million for Florida Power and Light. These funds are intended to expedite the restoration of electricity and enhance the resilience of the region’s power infrastructure. “We’re going to do everything we can to get power back in your home, not only helping you recover, but to help you build back stronger,” Biden assured residents.

As recovery efforts continue, the USA TODAY power outage tracker indicates that approximately 460,000 homes and businesses are still without power. The west-central coast remains the hardest-hit region, with nearly 170,000 outages reported in Hillsborough County alone, followed closely by Pinellas County, where around 95,000 residents are also in the dark. In other impacted areas, Sarasota County has reported 39,000 outages, while Manatee County is dealing with just under 52,000 homes and businesses without electricity. The prolonged outages have left many families anxious as they navigate the aftermath of the hurricane.

Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) has been working diligently to restore power to affected areas, reporting that it has already restored electricity to more than 90% of its customers. The utility company is committed to getting power back to all schools by the end of the weekend. To achieve this ambitious goal, FPL has mobilized an extensive workforce, deploying 20,000 workers from 41 states and Canada to assist in the recovery efforts. The scale of the response illustrates the urgency and seriousness of the situation as communities attempt to recover from the storm’s impact.

In its latest statement, FPL assured the public that its crews will continue working around the clock until every customer has their lights restored. This commitment highlights the utility’s dedication to the safety and well-being of Florida residents as they work to rebuild after Hurricane Milton’s destruction. The response teams are equipped to handle the challenging conditions on the ground, prioritizing the restoration of power to hospitals, shelters, and other critical infrastructure.

As Florida grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, the collective efforts of federal, state, and local agencies, alongside utility companies, are crucial for recovery. The state’s resilience is being tested, but the swift response from government officials and utility companies offers hope that communities will soon return to normalcy. With ongoing restoration efforts, Floridians are relying on each other and their leaders to navigate the long road to recovery, proving that even in the face of adversity, the spirit of unity and perseverance can shine through.